The Metamorphosis is set in a small working-class neighborhood in the
early 1900's. The events take place entirely in the Samsa home where Gregor
lives with his teenage sister Grete, his timid mother, and his surly and
resentful father. With the exception of three scenes where Gregor escapes
to the hallway, every other moment takes place in his bedroom until his
death. The final scenes of the story take place on a train bound for the
countryside, after Gregor is dead.

LIST OF CHARACTERS

Major Characters

Gregor Samsa

A traveling salesman who wakes up one morning and discovers he has turned
into a bug.

Mr. Samsa

Gregor's father, who is a tired old man. He depends on his son to support
the family, but is resentful and suspicious of Gregor. He eventually delivers
his son's fatal wound.

Mrs. Samsa

Gregor's mother. She is a soft-spoken woman who is concerned about her
son. She is never able to come to terms with Gregor's transformation and
harbors a hope that he will return to his normal state. Twice she makes
a weak gesture to show her love for Gregor: she stops his father from
throwing more apples, and she reaches for the cleaning lady's broom as
if to keep her from sweeping Gregor's body away.

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Grete Samsa

Gregor's sister. She is close to her brother and fearlessly takes up
the abhorrent task of caring for him. At the same time, her dislike of
his new state seems to destroy Gregor the most. When he hears her declare
her wish that he go away, he hides in his room and dies, as if her hatred
is too much for him to live with.

Minor Characters

The Chief Clerk

A mean-spirited, suspicious man who suggests that Gregor is missing work
because he has stolen from the company.

The three lodgers

Temporary residents in the Samsa household. Arrogant and insensitive,
they are driven away by Gregor's father after Gregor's death.

The cleaning lady

A maid in the Samsa household. She comes into Gregor's room only to poke
fun at him and pile more trash around him. In the end, she sweeps his
body into the trash.